Gun firing means



w 9 x94. w. P. MARONI-:Y 2,306,551

UN FIRING MEANS Y Filled July s, 1940 ATTORNEY Patented Dee. 29, 1942 1f rs s'rrs 3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in gun ring means and particularly to a system of igniting the forward portion of the charge first directly behind the projectile.

Since time immemorial it has been common to ignite the charge of a gun from the rear, and the explosion of the charge proceeded in a forward direction. Due to the desirable slow burning characteristics of certain types of gunpowder the old method of firing often caused a part of the charge to be blown forward With the projectile thus reducing the eiciency of the shot by adding additional mass to the weight of the bullet and by additional friction upon the walls of the gun barrel as well as by unnecessary wear of same. These disadvantages are particularly objectionable in the case of large calibre ordnance where the emciency of the shot may be very considerably reduced due to the large charges used and to various reasons mentioned above.

To eliminate these disadvantages I have invented a new way of igniting the charge and the objects of my inventionl are as follows: To eliminate the necessity of having the exploding powder move part of the charge forward I provide means whereby the ignition may be started at the forward end oi the charge; another object of my invention is to provide dual synchronized ignition means whereby a more uniform burning of the charge is obtainable; a further object of my invention is to provide auxiliary charges of quick burning powder arranged in bags fastened to and around the main charge in such a way that the same will be uniformly and rapidly ignited over a large area at one time; still another object of my invention is to provide a type of cartridge for smaller calibre guns having an annular ring or ignition cap surrounding its forward portion directly behind the bullet and suitable for ignition at one or more points simultaneously. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a section through the breech, ex-

plosion chamber and projectile of a large calibre gull,

Figure 2 is a section along line 2-2 in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section through the rear part of the barrel of a smaller calibre gun,

Figure 4 ure 3,

Figure 5 is a partial section along line 5-5 in Figure 4.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention; the numeral I0 designates the barrel of the large gun shown in Figures l and 2. The breech II is of the conventional type except that the usual firing lock is eliminated. Forward of the breech II are the charges I2, I3, I4 and I5 and forward of charge I5 is the projectile I6. At a suitable point behind the projectile I5 are provided two standard firing locks II which may be of the conventional type having connection through tubes I8 to the charge I5. The usual type of firing lock has a spring driven firing pin which hits the percussion cap containing fulminating powder which sets off an ignition charge which again penetrates the tubes I3 into charge I5.

The charge I5 consists of a large cylindrical bag containing slow burning explosive. Surrounding this bag is a shell I9 consisting of another bag filled with quick burning explosive and surrounding I5 both on its sides and front. Each one of the charges I2, I3 and I4 have an auxiliary charge 20 consisting of an outer bag of quick burning explosive fastened to the front end of the charge.

In Figure 3 is shown a section through the rear part of a gun of smaller calibre, preferably one from 1/2" to 3 calibre. 'I'he gun barrel 2| contains the cartridge 22 and two firing locks 23 with is a section along line 4--4 in Figring pins 24. The cartridge 22 has an annular.

groove surrounding its forward part, see Figures 3, 4 and 5. In this groove is placed a percussion cap in the shape of two half rings 25 and 26 of U-shaped cross section. In the bottom of the U-shaped ring is placed the fulminating powder or other igniting explosive 26a, see Figure 5. The bottom of the annular groove of the cartridge wall contains a plurality of perforations 21 and inside of said groove between same and the percussion cap is placed a perforated member usually called the anvil 28. The two rings of the percussion cap 25 are pressed into the annular groove of the cartridge so as to form a continuous belt surrounding the cartridge in such a manner that the stroke of a firing pin on any point of this belt will cause ignition of the percussion cap explosive.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

After the charge has been placed in the gun in the conventional manner, the dual ring locks are cocked and provision is made either through electrical or mechanical means for synchronizing the release of same. It is obvious of course that if desired any number of ring locks may be utilized. Referring to Figure 1, the fire from the ring locks I'I will go through tubes IB and ignite the auxiliary charges of quick burning explosive I9 surrounding the charge I5. The charge I5 is thus ignited from all sides because the charge I9 will burn through to charge 20 and thus re I5 all around at almost the same instant. The explosion of I5 will begin to move the projectile I6 forward while at the same time charge Iii is ignited. The latter, however, is only ignited at one end and will burn toward the rear at a certain speed depending upon the action of the explosive. When the charge Ill is burnt it will ignite the auxiliary charge 20 which again will set 01T I3 and this twill continue until all charges are exploded. In this manner the ex plosion will proceed in a predetermined and orderly manner without any waste of energy or moving of the charges. and without any unnec essary erosion of the inner walls of the gun barrel. This will permit the full ultilization of the energy contained in the powder and the gun will have a greater range with the same amount of charge.

The operation of the species of my invention disclosed in Figures 3, 4 and 5 is similar in principle to that explained above. The ring pins 24 strike the percussion cap 25 at one or more points according to the number of ring pins provided. The percussion cap explosive 26a ignites and iires through the perforated anvil 28 and through the perforations 2'I of the annular groove and thus igniting the charge 29 of the cartridge 22. By thus igniting the charge 29 at a short distance behind the bullet the charge would burn to the rear similarly as disclosed supra except that in the case of smaller charges special ignition charges are unnecessary.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. A gun firing charge of the character described, comprising a plurality of combustible bags containing a main charge of slow burning explosive; a primary ignition charge of quick burning explosive forming a cylindrical envelope around the sides and front end of the front bag of said main charge, and a plurality of secondary ignition charges of quick burning explosive placed in such a manner that one of said secondary ignition charges is located between any two of said bags containing-said main charge.

2. A gun ring charge of the character described, comprising a plurality of combustible containers containing a main charge of slow burning explosive; a primary ignition charge of quick burning explosive forming a cylindrical envelope around the sides and front end of the front container of said main charge, and a plurality of secondary ignition charges of quick burning explosive placed in such a manner that one of said secondary ignition charges is located between any two of said containers containing said main charge.

3. A gun ring charge of the character described, comprising a plurality of combustible bags containing a main charge of slow burning powder; a primary ignition charge of quick burning black powder forming a cylindrical envelope around the sides and front end of the front bag of said main charge, and a plurality of secondary ignition charges of quick burning black powder placed in such a manner that one of said secondary ignition charges is located between any two of said bags containing said main charge.

WILLIAM P. MARONEY. 

